For the dough, in a standup mixer with a paddle attachment mix butter and sugar together. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Whisk flour, soda, and salt together and add, mix well.

Remove dough from bowl and divide in half. Wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill for 1/2 hour.

To make the filling mix the dates, water, and sugar together in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low until the dates have dissolved slightly and the mixture is thickened. Stirring constantly. Set aside to cool.

Roll each half of dough on wax paper with a floured rolling pin into an 11x7" rectangle.

Divide the cooled date and nut filling between the two rectangles and spread evenly over the dough. Beginning at the wide end and using the wax paper to help, roll the dough up tightly.

Pinch edge to seal. Wrap the logs now up in the wax paper and refrigerate for several hours.

Preheat the oven to 400F and slice the logs into 1/4" slices. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 min. until lightly browned.